Jack Markell’s Line In The Sand: No Teacher Layoffs
Markell’s statement leaves no wiggle room.
NEWARK – State Treasurer Jack Markell released the following statement Tuesday in response to the Minner-Carney administration’s recent directive to school districts and charter schools to prepare to cut their operating budgets by 8 percent: “Delawareans from all across the state have told me in the past few days how upset they are that the Minner-Carney administration has not ruled out teacher layoffs as part of statewide budget cuts for FY 2009. Let me be clear – as governor I will not cut the education budget in ways that force teacher layoffs or take necessary resources out of the classroom.
The state is going to be facing some tough budget choices and Markell makes a strong case for why we can’t afford to view teachers as just another expense.
I have said before that the single biggest factor in a child’s education and within the control of a school is a caring, qualified teacher. We cannot afford to look at these teachers as budget cuts – many districts are targeting hundreds of teacher layoffs as a likely alternative to meet the budget cut directive. That’s unacceptable. We need to continue to find ways to attract and retain qualified caring teachers for our children.
Markell also demonstrates the kind of thinking that makes a clear case for why he is the right person to be in charge as the state faces a tough financial period.
As a DEFAC member, I’m well aware of how big our shortfall is – and the economic challenges the state and the nation are facing. Dealing with this shortfall without sacrificing our children’s education requires vision and leadership. Tough times also spur government to take steps it wouldn’t otherwise take. When I met with the school district superintendents recently, I bluntly told them that the state’s revenue situation requires they work together to combine their purchases on textbooks and other supplies to save money. Budget cuts are unfortunately also part of the solution, but not at the expense of our kids and our teachers. My proven record of saving the state money can help school district superintendents come together to combine their purchasing efforts, which will save millions of dollars per year. Similarly, a change in the way the state funds school transportation can save millions more. Those savings ideas have been available for months thanks to Vision 2015’s LEAD Committee.
Sorry Jason, didn’t mean to step on your post here — remove mine if you like….
No worries.
Nice to see him finally speaking out. That makes up for the last 10 years.
Wait, no it doesn’t.
“the right person to be in charge as the state faces a tough financial period.”
The right person to be in charge is someone who hasn’t been part of the problem in Dover for 10 years.
C’mon Dave, don’t be sore.
When it comes down the Markell v Protack you know you are voting for Markell.
Markell has it right, but he’s dealing with District Administrations that cut teachers as a means to pass referendums. That was Red Clay’s biggest threat before the Feb. referendum.
How would Markell make certain districts do not cut teachers? BTW, school districts and school boards love to talk about the State’s unfunded mandates – which is partly true. What they don’t like to talk about is the number of Administrators making over six figures. schoolwatch.us has the numbers.
J – I think I’ve told you many times. There is no third-place game in electoral politics. When you lose a primary, that’s it.
I’m not trying to beat the guy down, but when he says something like this….
…and the truth is this…..
…I just can’t help myself.
Thank you Jack!!!!!
More please.
I back Jack :)….I’d vote for him twice if I could but Leo Marshall took that tactict to the grave (I think).
Markell is the only candidate who can ‘clean house’ w/o owning the thugs, slugs, and bugs running the Dem party and the General Assembly.
Let’s be honest, education is a big part of the budget but more can be done throughout the budget.
Months ago I stated the need for a top down independent review of state government. Estimates are for each dollar spent $100 can be identified as savings. This review is long overdue.
Taxpayers need to know they are getting value for their tax dollar.
If there’s a hundred bucks can be saved for every dollar spent, doesn’t that mean that after the first 1% you save the entire budget?
This guy wants people to vote for him?
What an idiot!
That seems to be the perfect line in the sand in a system with so many kids who need an education to compete in the 21st century.
Congratulations to Jack…but Jack how you gonna pay for it! The answer is simple: SB 177 will save $8million every DAY, so are you going to change your mind…and support sane legislation that saves our teachers and better education, and deliver health care to every Delawarean…otherwise….you are promising something I dont think you can find the money for. We are loosing $200 million this year, and your JFC is cutting every program in the State, while sensible legislation sits in the assembly..that would wipe that deficit out immediately. Do the right thing Jack and revisit SB 177…stop cutting DHSS and community programs for the disabled…the disabled always get the biggest cuts….
Let me make it easier. A study costing $2.5 million would save $250 million.
100 to 1 ratio.
Look I know some of the best professionals in the US in terms of education. They would probably put together reports and work for seriously reduced prices or for free if Delaware takes a more state-centric point of view that puts Delaware’s kids first. And actually listened to advice.